IS LOAD-SHEDDING SHAPING FUTURE HOUSING NEEDS?

Pakistani house-hunters have made sustainable housing features a priority, when it comes to buying or renting houses.

These sustainable features have become a necessity due to the persistent 13-15 hours of load-shedding that Pakistanis currently face. As majority of the electricity production is via non-renewable energy resources, this situation is expected to deteriorate further.

Developers and builders are well aware of the changing housing needs and have started incorporating these features. One example of an ongoing remarkable sustainable development in Pakistan is that of DHA City Karachi (DCK) that is envisioned as a self-contained sustainable city.

DCK project will also feature natural drains to collect rain water into a lake for recycling and reuse for plantation and drought resistant native plants. Adding on, the project is said to have include wind, solar and biomass energy along with energy efficient LED lights.

Saad Arshed, Country Director of Lamudi Pakistan, said: “Pakistan is shifting towards use of renewable energy resources and it is heartening to see that nearly half (49.5 percent) of the current residential houses listings on Lamudi.pk’s website include eco-friendly features and elements of sustainable design.

House-hunters these days have become increasingly discerning and green building is the future of Pakistan.”

With the recent heat wave which claimed thousands of lives and the worsening energy shortages, it is only a matter of time that each and every household in Pakistan will include sustainable features, Arshed said.